PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Higor Pereira (ranked 23046 p4p, 107 weight class) and Bashaad Al Hammad (ranked 20816 p4p, 108 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Pereira
vs
Al Hammad

168 cm
27
133 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

179 cm
33
160 lbs
8 - 11 - 0

Counter fighter
Experienced

Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Higor Pereira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bashaad Al Hammad!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Wesley Smith and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pereira throws a hook but Al Hammad blocks it.
Pereira avoids the body shot from Al Hammad.
Pereira dodges the punch combination from Al Hammad.
Al Hammad just misses with a punch to the body.
Al Hammad missing with a left hand there. Pereira was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pereira misses with a two punch combination.
Al Hammad misses with a straight right.
Al Hammad misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pereira.
Pereira moves out of range of the body kick from Al Hammad.
Pereira throwing a counter right hand but Al Hammad manages to avoid it.
Al Hammad slips under a jab from Pereira.
Al Hammad throws a right hand that Pereira ducks under and follows up with a left that Pereira also avoids with ease.
Pereira throws a low kick but it's checked well by Al Hammad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Hammad misses the shot to the body.
A bone on bone clash there as Pereira blocks the leg kick.
Al Hammad throws a wild body kick that Pereira sees coming a mile off.
Pereira misses with a straight left.
Pereira throws a jab when Al Hammad was well out of range.
A jab from Al Hammad misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Hammad swings away with a body shot that misses
and Pereira counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Al Hammad misses with a low kick.
Al Hammad swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A swing and a miss from Al Hammad.
Pereira pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pereira misses with a wild combination.
Al Hammad is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Pereira rather than just go for the knockout.
Al Hammad just misses with a punch to the body.
Pereira checks a low kick from Al Hammad.
Al Hammad throws a body punch but Pereira moves out of range.
Al Hammad throws a big shot that misses.
Al Hammad avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A big right from Al Hammad misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Pereira misses the target.
Pereira is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Al Hammad's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Al Hammad tries a head kick but it misses.
Al Hammad loads up on a big right hand but Pereira slips the punch.
It looked like Pereira wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Al Hammad throws a hook but Pereira blocks it.
A little feinted left hand from Pereira on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Pereira throws a leg kick but Al Hammad sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Al Hammad throws a chopping leg kick but Pereira manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Al Hammad misses.
Bashaad Al Hammad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Al Hammad misses with a head kick.
Al Hammad fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pereira manages to avoid it.
Al Hammad throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Al Hammad looking to land some kicks to the body here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A bone on bone clash there as Pereira blocks the leg kick.
A big left from Al Hammad misses.
Al Hammad pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice defenses there by Pereira.
Pereira keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Al Hammad motions for Pereira to come forward. Al Hammad throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Pereira is looking to counter punch.
Al Hammad misses with a double jab.
Al Hammad tries a head kick but it misses.
Al Hammad ducks under a wild hook from Pereira.
Pereira throws a head kick that misses.
Pereira jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pereira comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Hammad throws a push kick but Pereira slaps the foot to one side.
Pereira swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nice defenses there by Pereira.
Pereira throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Al Hammad.
Al Hammad throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Some wild striking there from Al Hammad.
Al Hammad misses with a head kick.
Al Hammad misses with a wild body shot.
Al Hammad loads up on a big right hand but Pereira slips the punch.
Al Hammad blocks a low kick nicely.
Pereira throws a series of punches but Al Hammad moves out of range.
Pereira moves out of range as Al Hammad throws a body kick.
Al Hammad throws a leg kick
and Pereira counters with a straight right hand.
Al Hammad swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Al Hammad throws a right hand that Pereira ducks under and follows up with a left that Pereira also avoids with ease.
Pereira misses with an uppercut. Al Hammad saw that one coming.
Al Hammad looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Pereira tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pereira throws a body shot but no joy.
Pereira jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Al Hammad swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pereira was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Pereira throws a hook to the side of Al Hammad's head but Al Hammad sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Pereira is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Al Hammad.
Al Hammad pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Al Hammad missing with a left hand there. Pereira was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pereira swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Pereira scores with a jab. Al Hammad acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Al Hammad throws a half hearted mid kick.
Al Hammad throws a body shot but no joy.
Pereira moves away from the strike by Al Hammad.
Nice defenses there by Pereira.
Al Hammad slips a straight right by Pereira.
Al Hammad avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Pereira is looking to score with low kicks.
Pereira jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pereira throws out a loose jab but Al Hammad uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bashaad Al Hammad dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Al Hammad throws a head kick but Pereira moves out of range.
Pereira tries a low kick but Al Hammad avoids it.
Al Hammad throws a jab when Pereira was well out of range.
Pereira avoids the body shot from Al Hammad.
Al Hammad throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Pereira.
An attempted straight right counter from Pereira misses the target.
Al Hammad looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Al Hammad misses with a body kick.
Pereira swings for the body but Al Hammad moves out of range.
Pereira throws a looping overhand right but Al Hammad ducks down to avoid it.
Al Hammad thows a left - swing and a miss!
Al Hammad is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pereira.
Pereira throws a series of punches but Al Hammad avoids them all with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pereira throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Al Hammad throws a right hand that Pereira ducks under and follows up with a left that Pereira also avoids with ease.
A jab from Al Hammad misses.
Higor Pereira is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pereira moves out of range of the strikes.
Pereira misses the jab.
Pereira ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pereira throws a big shot that misses.
Al Hammad misses with a few strikes there.
Bashaad Al Hammad seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Al Hammad misses with a looping left.
Pereira throws a front kick aimed at Al Hammad's knee but Al Hammad avoids it well.
A jab from Pereira misses.
Al Hammad throws a solid leg kick but Pereira takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Al Hammad.
Pereira is looking to counter punch.
A jab from Al Hammad misses.
A jab from Al Hammad misses.
Pereira staying out of range there.
Al Hammad misses with a straight left.
Al Hammad misses the shot to the body.
Al Hammad bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Pereira takes a swing at Al Hammad's ribcage but misses.
Al Hammad tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Al Hammad throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Al Hammad throws a right and a left that both miss.
Al Hammad throws a wild body kick that Pereira sees coming a mile off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pereira misses the shot to the body.
A leg kick checked by Al Hammad.
A looping hook to the body misses from Al Hammad. Pereira does a little dance to reset his feet.
Al Hammad displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pereira throws out the jab.
Pereira misses with a jab, cross combination.
Al Hammad slips under a jab.
Al Hammad just misses with a punch to the body.
Al Hammad misses with the combination.
Pereira throwing a counter right hand but Al Hammad manages to avoid it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Al Hammad uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Pereira.
Pereira throws a right hand that Al Hammad ducks under and follows up with a left that Al Hammad also avoids with ease.
Al Hammad misses with a low kick.
Al Hammad fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Al Hammad misses with a wild combination.
Pereira throws a big shot that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Hammad slips a straight right by Pereira.
Al Hammad misses with a hook. Pereira ducked under it nicely.
Pereira throwing a counter right hand but Al Hammad manages to avoid it.
Al Hammad blocks a low kick nicely.
Al Hammad scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Al Hammad throws a right hand that Pereira ducks under and follows up with a left that Pereira also avoids with ease.
Al Hammad displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pereira throws out the jab.
A little jabbing left from Al Hammad on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Al Hammad swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Al Hammad takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Pereira throws a leg kick but Al Hammad moved away.
Al Hammad throws out a counter right but Pereira avoids it with no problem.
Pereira misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Pereira throws an overhand right that lands on Al Hammad's shoulder, as Al Hammad tries to avoid the shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Al Hammad. Pereira does a little dance to reset his feet.
A big right from Al Hammad misses.
Pereira throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Pereira lands with an overhand left.
Al Hammad displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pereira throws out the jab.
Pereira avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Pereira ducks under a wild hook from Al Hammad.
Pereira slips a straight right by Al Hammad.
The fighters circling - Al Hammad throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pereira looks to land a combination but Al Hammad avoids it well.
Pereira throws a jab but it's blocked by Al Hammad.
Pereira steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Al Hammad.
Pereira blocks the body kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Al Hammad misses the target.
A clash of legs there as Pereira blocks the low kick.
Al Hammad misses with a series of wild punches.
Pereira misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pereira avoids the body shot from Al Hammad.
Pereira fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Some bone on bone action there as Pereira checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Pereira will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Bashaad Al Hammad will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Pereira motions for Al Hammad to come forward. Pereira throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Pereira blocks a jab.
Al Hammad lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Pereira circles away quickly and effectively.
Al Hammad tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pereira was well out of range. Poor timing from Al Hammad.
Al Hammad takes a swing at Pereira's ribcage but misses.
Pereira loads up on a big right hand but Al Hammad slips the punch.
Al Hammad throws a big shot that misses.
Al Hammad throws a sloppy head kick and Pereira moves out of range easily.
Al Hammad checks a low kick from Pereira.
A little jabbing left from Al Hammad on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Al Hammad takes a swing at Pereira's ribcage but misses.
Al Hammad throws a series of punches but Pereira moves out of range.
Pereira missing with a left hand there. Al Hammad was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pereira defending well as Al Hammad loads up on a big left hand.
Pereira throws out a loose jab but Al Hammad uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pereira steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Al Hammad.
Al Hammad throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Pereira looks to land a combination but Al Hammad avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Hammad throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Pereira counters with a nice uppercut.
Pereira tries a head kick but it misses.
Al Hammad looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Al Hammad misses with a looping right.
Pereira is looking to counter punch.
Pereira staying out of range there.
Pereira swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Al Hammad throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Al Hammad takes a swing at Pereira's ribcage but misses.
Pereira throws a shot from downtown. Al Hammad moves away and avoids it.
Pereira uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Al Hammad.
Pereira throws a big shot that misses.
Al Hammad missing with a left hand there. Pereira was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The fighters circling - Pereira throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Al Hammad misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pereira.
Pereira swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Al Hammad swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Pereira blocks a jab.
Al Hammad ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pereira moves away.
Al Hammad misses with a hook. Pereira ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pereira blocks a jab.
Al Hammad throws a big shot that misses.
Al Hammad throws a push kick but Pereira slaps the foot to one side.
Pereira tries to land a leg kick but Al Hammad saw it coming and moves away.
Pereira misses the shot to the body.
Al Hammad looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Al Hammad blocks a low kick nicely.
Al Hammad throws a body punch but Pereira moves out of range.
Al Hammad misses the jab.
Pereira throwing a counter right hand but Al Hammad manages to avoid it.
Pereira staying out of range there.
Al Hammad throws a right and a left that both miss.
Al Hammad takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Al Hammad throws a hook but Pereira avoids it easily.
Pereira misses with a double jab.
Al Hammad defending well as Pereira loads up on a big left hand.
Pereira looks to land a left hand but Al Hammad moved out of range nicely.
Al Hammad throws a solid leg kick but Pereira takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Al Hammad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Pereira.
Pereira is looking to counter punch.
Pereira misses the jab.
Al Hammad slips under a jab from Pereira.
Al Hammad displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pereira throws out the jab.
Pereira bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Al Hammad misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pereira.
No joy there for Pereira, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Al Hammad throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Pereira throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pereira wants to slow Al Hammad down by chopping away at his legs.
Pereira moves out of range as Al Hammad throws a body kick.
Pereira looks to throw the jab but Al Hammad is out of range.
Al Hammad throws an overhand right that lands on Pereira's shoulder, as Pereira tries to avoid the shot.
Pereira swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Al Hammad tries a head kick but it misses.
A combination from Al Hammad does no damage.
Pereira fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pereira misses with a series of wild punches.
Pereira misses the shot to the body.
Al Hammad misses the shot to the body.
Pereira throws a series of punches but Al Hammad avoids them all with ease.
Al Hammad throws a leg kick but Pereira checks it.
Al Hammad checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Pereira throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Al Hammad throws a right and a left that Pereira avoids nicely.
No joy there for Pereira, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Al Hammad throws a hook to the side of Pereira's head but Pereira sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A swing and a miss from Pereira.
Al Hammad swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Al Hammad swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pereira is looking to counter punch.
Al Hammad misses with an uppercut. Pereira saw that one coming.
Higor Pereira has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bashaad Al Hammad is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Pereira looks to score with a jab to the body but Al Hammad is just out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bashaad Al Hammad.
Well Al Hammad has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bashaad Al Hammad!
Bashaad Al Hammad made sure to mention his sponsor, Strong Suplementos 159Q/$200 in his post fight interview.